Giving a try at freelance writing-anyone know where to begin?

I think the most important thing is to find your niche. Once you find the area / industry that you are very passionate about, I would recommend to start blogging first. You have to build some sort of portfolio, and if you don't have any professional writing pieces to show for, at least you will have the blog article to present.

 

I'm not trying to stop you. I'm just preparing you.

Look if you can write a fantastic, and i mean jaw-dropping, piece on any subject, then you will get published. But it has to be overwhelmingly good, fantastic writing. But that's easier said than done.

 

I guess pessimism abounds in writing circles if this thread is any indication.

I wouldn't get derailed by comments here, no matter how expert they may be. Success is a personal measure, IMO. And you can always get better and better and better to the point where you're paralyzed by constant self-analyzation.

I say write what you enjoy writing about and it will come across in the read.

As far as getting published...if Terry Goodkind can make millions and get a tv show out of his tripe, you're the second coming based on that first post excerpt.

 

Contact info?

 

I think you need to be more adventurous with your writing. I read a lot of Playboy and National Geographic because there are usually good adventure stories, like the guy going to Pakistan and buying beer or people exploring a giant cave in Vietnam. I know you've got a budget to think about but I am sure there are many things you can do like take a trip to south Texas and write about the shale gas boom, or travel to Cleveland and do an economic satire about LBJ and Cleveland's economy.

I like reading those type of stories, even if they are short. I really don't know if this helps you at all, but it helps me.

 

I suggest going where the money is. For example, SEO writing: write 1 SEO article, spin it 5 times (eliminates duplicate content), at $25 per article. I imagine you're not versed in drafting marketing copy, but you can still contribute to marketing efforts through SEO and content marketing.

 

while i agree he could be more creative you could present that criticism a little more contructively.

 

That's OK. You're their best seller!

 

Got to give people something original which is exceedingly difficult. Most writers just seem to throw out some non conformist, stir the pot, piece because they know it will elicit strong emotions. Like why you should rent instead of buy a home (there was an article in CNNMoney today about how homeownership should not be part of the American dream), how gay couples raise kids better than straight, how Cuba has a better healthcare system than the US, etc.

It's that aha, epiphany moment that makes avid readers really take notice, remember you work, ponder the meaning, quote you to others, etc.

Just my .01 cent.